Technology
IISD's Water Innovation Centre (WIC) works on water technology that focuses on a range of nutrient management methodologies from innovative end-of-pipe control approaches to large-scale ecological infrastructure. Primarily a policy research organization, WIC informs water resources analysts and policy-makers on emerging and appropriate water management methods and approaches. A particular focus of the WIC is ecosystem management technologies, which in some cases are more cost-effective water management solutions than traditional hard infrastructure.
The WIC will review and synthesize emerging "green infrastructure" approaches to water management. "Green" or "Ecological" infrastructures are networks of working landscapes that provide ecological and direct human benefits. In the context of Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship ecological infrastructure includes wetlands restoration, treatment wetlands, and "living machines" technologies.
Contents
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Peak Phosphorous Roundtable
Phosphorous is imperative for maintaining plant health and is fundamental to growing food. Current phosphorous reserves are being depleted faster than they are being replenished, and production is expected to peak as early as 2030. IISD’s Water Innovation Centre will host a regional peak phosphorous roundtable and provide insights aimed at framing the issue, devising management strategies and developing potential solutions to peak phosphorous. -
Manitoba Biofuels Project
This research project, conducted with Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives and the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, involved a review of the characteristics of selected feedstocks and bioproducts, the development of a method for evaluating climate change impacts on crop production in Manitoba and a methodology for carrying out life-cycle assessments of bioproducts for the Manitoba context.
